CULTURE

CULTURAL EXPERIENCES

FIVE Palm Jumeirah has partnered with Platinum Heritage, winners of the Best Desert Safari at the World Travel Awards, to offer an exclusive range of cultural and desert safari packages that allow guests to experience the UAE at its best.

Choose from a range of different options from cultural Emirati meals and luxury desert safaris to Creekside tours.

All tours prices are based on the number of people and last around four-five to seven hours.

Bedouin Cultural Safari – morning

Learn more about the history of the United Arab Emirates and its Bedouin culture during this morning tour. This luxury experience starts with a vintage 1965 Bentley hotel pick up to the desert. Once there, guests are taken on a gentle journey through the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve in search of exotic native wildlife.

Enjoy a traditional Emirati breakfast at a Bedouin camp located on the property of the royal family knowing that only a privilege few will be lucky enough to experience. Here, guests will also witness a live falconry demonstration, yola dancing, an animal corner featuring goats and saluki dogs as well as traditional henna and stories of old from a Bedouin storyteller.

Price:

AED4,480 for 2 guests

AED4,975 for 3-4 guests

Heritage Desert Safari – evening

Experience fine dining in the desert with this exclusive Platinum Heritage package. This luxury tour starts with a vintage 1965 Bentley hotel pick up to the desert. Once there, guests are taken on a gentle journey through the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve in search of exotic native wildlife.

Enjoy a traditional Arabic evening meal at a Bedouin camp located on the property of the royal family knowing that only a privilege few will be lucky enough to experience. Here, guests will also witness a live falconry demonstration, yola dancing, traditional henna, camel rides and Emirati drums.

Price:

AED 5,480 for 2 guests

AED 6,075 for 3- 4 guests

Private Cultural Meals

Held at Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding, a traditional wind-tower house in the Al Fahidi District, the private cultural meals are an excellent opportunity to learn more about local culture over a delicious Emirati meal.

The topics of discussion are generated by questions from the participants and led by an insightful cultural presenter. The programme is designed to be entertaining, educational and informative. Topics include Arabic culture, Islam and its impact on local culture, cultural values and sensitivities, important Arabic greetings and expressions as well as insightful anecdotes.

Private Heritage Tours

Learn more about Emirati culture and step back in time as guests journey through the Al Fahidi District, located in one of the oldest Emirati neighourhoods. Platinum Heritage’s cultural presenters will escort guests through the distinctive, narrow sikkas and stunning wind towers that adorn this historic district before visiting the Diwan Mosque, accessible only to non-Muslims with a representative from the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding.

Guests are then invited to return to the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding for a cultural Q&A over traditional Arabic coffee, tea and dates.

Creekside Tour

Discover a different side of Dubai during this tour, which takes guests on a journey along the historic Dubai Creek. The tour begins with a walk through the Al Fahidi District, located in one of the oldest Emirati neighourhoods to the Diwan Mosque, accessible only to non-Muslims with a representative from the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding

Have fun hagggling with the stall vendors at the Meena Bazaar before hopping onto a traditional Abra to travel across the creek to the Gold and Spice Souks. Guests are then invited to return to the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding for a cultural Q&A over traditional Arabic coffee, tea and dates.

Arabic Classes

Keen linguists can book spoken Arabic classes at the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding. Those looking to learn Arabic for a specific reason can take advantage of the customised private classes.